The Worship that God Hates SUNDAY COM BINED WORSHIP SERVICE. RHC 348 Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah 1. *Invocation/Gloria Patri

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1 December 26th, 2010 Vol. 50 No. 27 SUNDAY COM BINED WORSHIP SERVICE Preparatory Hymn Jason Tey Prelude Winnie Lim Call to Worship Michael Lee/Joel Wong *Hymn RHC 348 Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah 1 *Invocation/Gloria Patri Responsive Reading Hosea 11 Hymn RHC 359 My Faith Looks Up to Thee Presentation of Tithes & Offerings 2 *Doxology /Offertory Prayer Scripture Reading Amos 5:16 27 Hymn RHC 246 Open My Eyes, That I May See Pastoral Prayer/Message Ko Ling Kang/Andy Yu The Worship that God Hates *Hymn *Benediction/Threefold Amen Announcements 3 *The Lord Bless You and Keep You RHC 137 Thanks to God! *Congregation Standing RHC Front Inner Cover 3 RHC Back Inner Cover 1&2

2 PASTORAL CHAT My dear readers, 1. Old Year Stock-Taking Safely through another year, God has led us on our way. Echoing the words of English hymn writer John Newton in his famous hymn Safely through another week, we join in united praise and thanks to our all merciful Father in Heaven. Truly we share Jeremiah s heartfelt confession, It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not (Lam 3:22), and Psalmist David s words in Psalm 40:5: Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. 2. We remember God s hand of mercy Remembrance is the hallmark of gratitude. How true this is. For this reason we must never forget God s bountiful blessings in guiding, providing and protecting through the year, giving us faithful Pastors and others along the way. To such men we owe a debt of gratitude which cannot be adequately repaid. The year 2010 was blessed with evident tokens of God s goodness to our various ministries and missions. Our first outreach church in Australia, the B-P Church of Western Australia, remains steadfast, founded on the Rock, our Lord Jesus. Still without a Resident Pastor, the Protem Committee, led by Deacon James Wong and assisted by Preacher Ko Lingkang who continues his periodic visits. For this we are most thankful to God. The Far Eastern Bible College s legal case is not yet finally settled. The appeal was heard in December, and judgment is pending. We await the result with full assurance in the Lord s wisdom and goodness. Whatever the result, we are confident of the promise of God s Word in Romans 8:28: And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 3. Absent in the body, present with the Lord Our Lord does all things well, even the Home-calling of my beloved helpmeet after 56 years. In the midst of intense pain and loss He also sent relief by the many members of Pandan and our sister B-P Churches, and other comforters. Now I await the Lord s promise of reunion when the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the arch-

3 angel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words (1 Thess 4:16-18). I look forward to the blessed reunion in the clouds and our meeting with the Lord in the air. What a glorious and unimaginable event it will be! In the meantime the clear message from our Lord is Occupy till I come! So since October, it has been return to missions visiting our B-P Churches in London and Australia, ministering to the needs of ourmembers in cities such as Melbourne, Sydney and Perth. There is joy in serving Jesus. 4. Ending the old year on a high note When this pastoral letter is read the old year will be well nigh spent, and the new year will be just about to dawn. Materially 2010 has been a year of economic upsurge. We read of bumper bonuses for civil servants, of Singapore s expanding growth in many areas. It has been a good year of peace and plenty. 5. But God s Word sounds caution! I quote from the apostle Paul s first letter to the Christians in Thessalonica: But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night (1 Thess 5:1-2). The Word of God draws attention to the nearness of the Momentous Event our Lord s promised return. When men shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them and they shall not escape (1 Thess 5:3). 6. Here am I, send me We know only too well our Lord s words to the disciples: The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few (Matt 9:37). What then must we do? Let us all pray the Lord of the harvest to send labourers into His harvest. But besides praying, we must consider the urgency of the need, and prepare, if the Lord perchance should call you. Like the case of Isaiah, may the Lord call some from our midst, saying, Whom shall I send? And who will go for me? My prayer is that someone will be moved by the Spirit to respond: Here am I, send me. God bless all readers. Faithfully in the Lord Dr SH Tow

4 DEVOTION Dear Brethren, True Conversion All of God Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (Tit 3:5) Now that we have clearly established what the gospel really is, the next topic we must consider is that of true Biblical conversion. Understanding true conversion would reveal to us what effect the preaching of the true gospel will have on man of how he is saved and changed by God. In our Christian lingo, we have termed this process as being saved, being born again, or receiving Christ, believing in Jesus, getting converted etc. Like a right understanding of the gospel, an understanding of conversion is something fundamental and greatly important to every Christian. Therefore the next mark of a healthy church would be a right and biblical understanding of true conversion. The first thing that we must realize about true biblical conversion is that it is a process that is entirely of God. It is initiated by God, provided for by God, and carried out by God. Man has no part to play in it, except to graciously accept this free gift of salvation, giving all praise and glory to God for it. At this juncture you might object and say no! I exercised faith, I repented of my sins, and it was my decision to become a Christian! From our perspective, that was how it seemed to be. We as man always want to think that we have control over our own lives and our own destiny. However, if we stop for a moment to think about the sovereignty of God, we would soon realize that if he is truly sovereign over all things, wouldn t it include the salvation of man as well? In fact, even more so for something as important and crucial as that. For left to himself, man would never want seek God, or desire to repent. For Romans clearly describes the sinfulness of man: As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. (Rom 3:10-11). Thus we realize that it is certainly not by works of righteousness which we have done not even the conscious decision to believe in Jesus or to turn away from our sins. We had done nothing at all. But instead, it is only according to his mercy he saved us. God chose to withhold from us the judgment that we deserve, and by grace alone he initiated the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost. All these speak of the work of the Holy Spirit in the heart of an unsaved man. When the gospel is first preached to us, by ourselves, being dead in trespasses and sins we would never be able to do anything to respond to the offer of salvation. However what then happens is that through the words of God, and the power of the Holy Spirit, we are regenerated and renewed. This speaks of being made spiritually alive, whereby our minds previously blind to spiritual things are now open, and we can understand and accept the words of the gospel. It is only at this point, after the Holy Spirit has quickened us, can we then exercise repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ.

5 In a sense, we can describe this as what happens behind the scenes as a man is saved. What we do realize, is that God is the director, the stage manager, and even the main actor in the playing out of man s salvation. We are but the audience that should offer up the heartiest applause as we learn of what God has done for us. Are we truly thankful for our salvation? In Christ, Lingkang ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRAISE & PETITIONS 1. Church Vans: Departs 12:15pm. 2. Revival Prayer Meeting: 8:00pm Tuesday. Speaker: Ko Ling Kang. Join us to pray for the revival of the church. 3. Wednesday Bible night class at 7:30pm in church. All are welcome to study God's Word together. 4. CYAF & CYPG Retreat: Will be at York from the 26th of Dec to 28th of Dec. Pray for their spiritual strength to be renewed and a readiness to serve the Lord effectively in the New Year. 5. Watch Night Thanksgiving Service: will be held on the 31st of December at 8 pm. Those who wish to stay at Church throughout the night to pray are welcome to do so. Please bring a plate of finger food to share. 6. Sunday Worship Roster for January 2011: There are some changes made to January 2011 rosters, for those who are involved in the Worship Ministry, please check your roster and let us continue to serve the Lord faithfully in the New Year. 7. Nehemiah Place: We are seeking for volunteers to help out in painting the house next week. If you are able to help, please see Eddie Foo today for more details. 8. Thanksgiving & Prayer: 1) Thank and Praise God for the Christmas Eve Carolling and Evangelical Christmas Service held yesterday. The Church wishes everyone a blessed New Year. 2) Please pray for safety and journey mercies as many brothers and sisters will be travelling or going away during the holiday break. 3) Revival of the church. 4) A pastor for BPCWA. 5) Those who are away, working or travelling. 6) Those who are sick or weak. 7) Church safety & security. Watchnight Service Roster (31/12) Speaker: Ko Ling Kang/Andy Yu Worship Leader: Adrian Cheng/Kevin Lau Musician(s): Ruth Wong Welcomers: Eddie Foo, Carol Wee, Albert Ho Offering Stewards To Help Counting Offering: Eddie Foo, Albert Ho, Stephen Chia, Barry Palm Ushers: Lily & Audrey Liow, Pink Fu P.A. System Video: Adrian Ng Kitchen Duties: Lee Fung Fong, Andy Ho, Barry Palm, Christine Chia, Yi San Chieng

6 Service Duty (26/12) Combined (2/1) Combined Speaker Ko Ling Kang/Andy Yu Ko Ling Kang/Sonny Lim Worship Leader Michael Lee/Joel Wong Mark Heath/Joel Wong Prep Hymns Jason Tey Kevin Lau Musician Winnie Lim Lydia Pui Welcomers Barry & Junita Palm, Kevin Lau Chi Fai & Nicole Tang, Michael Lee Kevin Lau, Leonard Law, Chi Fai Tang, Michael Koo, Offering Stewards Barry Palm, Caleb Cheng Michael Lee, Stephen Chia Ushers Rowena Cheng, Caleb Cheng Michael Koo, Ruth Wong P.A. System Eddie Ho, Joel Wong Albert Ho Irene Yap, Truc Pham, Kitchen Duties Yi Jye Chieng, Allan Ang Yi Min Chieng, Joanne Koo, Phyllis Koo JSS Singspiration Hui Ling Wee, Adrian Ng Hui Ling Wee, Adrian Ng Van Drivers Shie Tian (M) Leonard (C) Eugene (U) Camilia (M) Caleb (C) Terry (U) Old Folks Home Ministry Subiaco Robert Wong (Karen Yap) Barry Palm (Junita Palm) Hall A: Jason Tey (Michael Koo) Hall A: Mark Heath (Adrian Ng) South Perth Hall B: Barry Palm (Junita Palm) Hall B: Caleb Cheng (Rowena Cheng) Bayswater Mark Heath (Grace Yu) Jason Tey (Yi San Chieng) APPOINTMENTS OF THE WEEK Tuesday 28/12 8:00pm Revival Prayer Meeting Ko Ling Kang, Robert Wong/Andy Yu, Lydia Pui Wednesday 29/12 7:30pm Wednesday Bible Night Class OLD TESTAMENT HISTORY Friday 31/12 8pm Watchnight Service Walking with God to Meet with God (Genesis 5:21-24) 8:30am Pre-Service Prayer Meeting 9:00am Sunday School/BBK Classes Sunday 2/1 10:00am Combined Sunday Worship Service The Lifestyle that God Hates (Amos 6) 2:00pm Concorde (Nursing Home) 25 Anstey Street, South Perth Onslow Gardens (Nursing Home) 39 Hamersley Road, Subiaco 3:30pm Ben Ritcher Lodge (Nursing Home) Guildford Road, Bayswater ATTENDANCE & OFFERINGS (19/12) Attendance: - (Combined-; JSS-); Prayer Meeting - 34 Offerings in Total: $3, General Fund: $3, (#3376-$348.75; #3377-$456.75) Mission Fund: (10% of General Fund is set aside for missions) SHORTER CATECHISM Q90. How is the Word to be read and heard, that it may become effectual to salvation? That the Word may become effectual to salvation, we must attend thereunto with diligence, preparation, and prayer; receive it with faith and love, lay it up in our hearts, and practice it in our lives.